Documentation and comparative study of two endangered languages in Tibet: Wutunhua, Daohua
The Endangered Language Documentation Programme (ELDP) provides grants worldwide for the documentation of endangered languages and knowledge. Grantees create audiovisual collections with transcription and translations of endangered languages and practices. These collections are preserved and made freely available through the Endangered Languages Archive (ELAR).
Daohua and Wutunhua are isolated linguistic islands within the vast Tibetan-speaking area. Daohua is spoken by approximately 2,600 people in eastern Tibet, and Wutunhua is spoken by about 2000 people in north-eastern Tibet.
Comparing the two languages, although there is hardly any genetic affinity between them, we find an amazing similarity in their phonological and grammatical structures and lexicon. Their cultural settings and ontogenesis also seem to be close. They exhibit features of both Tibetan and Chinese in lexicon, phonology and syntax, and the expression “heterogeneous but orderlyâ€
Primary investigator: Yeshes Vodgsal Acuo
Comparing the two languages, although there is hardly any genetic affinity between them, we find an amazing similarity in their phonological and grammatical structures and lexicon. Their cultural settings and ontogenesis also seem to be close. They exhibit features of both Tibetan and Chinese in lexicon, phonology and syntax, and the expression “heterogeneous but orderlyâ€
Primary investigator: Yeshes Vodgsal Acuo
Project Details
Location:
Organiser(s):
Endangered Languages Documentation Programme
Project partner(s): Nankai University
Funder(s):
Arcadia
Funding received: £49,555.00
Commencement Date: 01/2000
Project Status: Completed
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